Students Watching Stars Evolve
John Percy, Drew MacNeil, Leila Meema-Coleman, Karen Morenz
TL;DR
This study analyzes period changes in 59 RR Lyrae stars using data from the GEOS database, serving as a guide for students to conduct original research in variable star astronomy.
Contribution
It demonstrates how high school and undergraduate students can perform meaningful research on stellar variability using accessible data and methods.
Findings
Identified period changes in 59 RR Lyrae stars
Provided a student-friendly research methodology
Served as an educational template for variable star studies
Abstract
We describe a study of period changes in 59 RR Lyrae stars, using times of maximum brightness from the GEOS database. The work was carried out by outstanding senior high school students in the University of Toronto Mentorship Program. This paper is written in such a way that high school or undergraduate physics and astronomy students could use it as a guide and template for carrying out original research, by studying period changes in these and other types of variable stars.
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Taxonomy
TopicsHistory and Developments in Astronomy · Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies · Historical Astronomy and Related Studies